I owe a huge thanks to my coach Zach Caldwell. Zach is incredible. Not only do I work with him on technique but he manages my ski fleet, grinds my skis, picks my skis from the Madshus factory, advises my training coach John Callahan and myself on his experiences training Kris Freeman, and he and his family, Amy and Gunnar Caldwell, house me and feed me while I’m here. Thank you Zach!
After going out for a bounding technique session with me this morning, Zach spent the afternoon grinding and waxing my skis for Austria. I have a 7:30 flight this evening to Munich, then I’ll drive to Ramsau. I am excited to be back on snow on Tuesday morning.
I’m taking 10 pairs of skis with me. My classic fleet is simple: 1 klister (warm and wet conditions), 1 zero (conditions right around freezing: 32 degrees Fahrenheit), and 1 hard wax (cold conditions) pair of skis. I’m planning on doing a little more testing on the skate side. I have 2 brand new wet skis with a new base material, 1 wet ski that I got last February and raced on several times last spring, also with a different base material, 1 new regular base wet ski, 2 new cold skis, and my go to cold ski from last season to test against. I’m looking forward to trying the new skis!